There are many great attractions to see in Birmingham. One of the best is the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is Alabama’s largest living museum with more than 10,000 different plants in its living collections. The Gardens’ 67.5 acres contains 25+ unique gardens, 30+ works of original outdoor sculpture and miles of serene paths.
The Gardens features the largest public horticulture library in the U.S., conservatories, a wildflower garden, two rose gardens, the Southern Living garden, and Japanese Gardens with a traditionally crafted tea house. Education programs run year round and over 10,000 school children enjoy free science-curriculum based field trips annually.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the most visited free attraction in Alabama, is open daily, offering free admission to more than 350,000 yearly visitors. Make sure you see it in every season since it is always evolving and changing!
Posted by NHB at 08:20 |
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On a sunny spring day, the Birmingham Zoo is a great place to visit, especially if your companion is your granddaughter! This is where we went for our monthly Grammy and Margaret day. Our day began by heading to the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul’s Children Zoo for a ride on the animal carousel. Margaret selected a monkey for her carousel ride. It was such fun! Next, it was off to see lions, tigers, zebras and giraffes on our way to ride the Red Diamond Express. The whistle blew and the train was all ours on a scenic journey passing several exhibits of wild animals and birds. There is a lot new this season with many animals making their debut including Southern White Rhinos, the black footed cat, and the two-toed sloth. Our day concluded with a visit to see the sea lions and Kangaroo Kountry.
We will be returning soon since we were too tired to see the gorillas and monkeys on the island of Madagascar. We look forward to the butterfly encounter which will open in May. As the summer heats up, a day playing in the fountains is a great way to cool off. Before the season ends, I am sure we will be back to see Boo at the Zoo and the Zoolight Safari.
The Birmingham Zoo…always entertaining…a classic way to spend the day with my granddaughter!
Posted by Christina Rickey at 08:22 |
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The weather was perfect on Sunday, February 15, 2009 for the Mercedes Marathon. Over 3,000 runners participated in this year’s marathon on a new course winding through downtown Birmingham. Two relay teams, consisting of five members on each team, ran the 26 mile marathon in honor of Emily Krawczyk, my granddaughter, who was born with Down syndrome. One team consisted of Emily’s mom, dad, family and friends. The second team was comprised of brokers, agents, and family members from the RealtySouth Inverness office. Funds raised from the two teams will go directly to the Bell Center for Early Childhood Intervention Programs in honor of Emily.
The Bell Center and the services it provides continue to be such a huge blessing to our family. Emily attends the toddler class two times per week for 2 hours each, and she loves it. It is similar to preschool except that Emily is guided by a team of therapists and volunteers that work with her to make sure she is meeting developmental goals. Emily is doing great including learning sign language, walking everywhere, and getting into everything! Emily loves music, basketball, and especially emulating her big sister Margaret who is always teaching her new things. Emily said her first words recently, “Hi Dada” as her father came home from work. Our family is very proud of her and absolutely cannot imagine life without her. She is so happy and full of personality. The therapy she receives at the Bell Center is absolutely invaluable and is provided at a very nominal fee. The Bell Center does not receive any government funding – it operates on money raised through various fundraisers throughout the year, primarily the Mercedes Marathon. The Bell Center is a wonderful resource for our community, and we are lucky to have it. At last count, approximately $9,000 has been contributed in Emily’s name…thanks to everyone who donated and to the relay teams who ran!!
Posted by Christina Rickey at 07:58 |
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Home Buyer Seminar - Separate Fact from Fiction
Yes, You Can Purchase in Today’s Market!
Monday, February 23, 2009, 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Meeting Room
It’s a buyer’s market! Now is a great time to purchase a home. Learn the secrets of homeownership from a team of professionals. This informative seminar will provide everything you need to know about the loan qualification and buying process from the start of your home search to closing. We will discuss and guide you through the changing Birmingham real estate market; whether you should rent or buy; who represents whom in a real estate transaction; foreclosures and short sales; how do you qualify for a loan and more. The program is presented by Christina Rickey, Associate Broker of RealtySouth—Inverness in conjunction with Beau Bevis, Broker of RealtySouth— Inverness and Mark Achuff, Senior Loan Officer of Mortgage South. Please contact Lori Skinner at the North Shelby Library, (205) 439-5511 or skinner.lori@yahoo.com if you have questions and to reserve your place; or you may contact Chris direct at 337-3848.
Posted by Christina Rickey at 05:32 |
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As a mother of three sons, I have spent years sitting on the bench watching countless football and baseball games. Finally, I have the opportunity to participate in little girl activities. God has blessed me with three granddaughters to enjoy the softer side of children. On Tuesday, I attended a ballet recital at the Steeple Arts Academy of Dance in Crestline Village. The wonderful thing about the Steeple Arts Academy is generations have taken dance lessons there, and it is family owned. In fact my granddaughter, her mother, and her mother’s mother all took classes at Steeple Arts. The red painted façade welcomes you to the Steeple Arts Academy which is located in an old church poised in the center of the village. It is nice to know not all things have to change and sometimes the simpler things in life are the best. Maybe someday Margaret’s daughter will learn to stand in the first position, skip, and point her toes at the Steeple Arts Academy the way her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother did.
Posted by Christina Rickey at 08:15 |
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Fall has arrived in Birmingham and the weather is perfect. Today was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the low 80’s and almost no humidity. I decided to enjoy the Bluff Park Annual Art Show in Hoover. This art show is always held on the first Saturday of October and promises to be one of the area’s best outdoor events. I was not disappointed! Over 120 artists from all over the country gathered to exhibit their talents. There were photographers, painters, jewelry makers, woodworkers, and sculptures from as far away as Michigan and many from the southeast including Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Local artists also had great representation. The art show is presented by the Bluff Park Art Association which consists of volunteers who are interested in the arts and giving back to the community. The funds earned from this one-day event helps keep the arts alive in Hoover. Cash prizes ranging from $3,500 to $100 were awarded to over 35 recipients. Princeton Hoover Baptist Medical Center donated several awards. The $3,500 Princeton Hoover Purchase Award for the Bluff Park Art Association Permanent Collection went to Nevin Newton of Hoover for his intricate wood sculpture. The Permanent Collection consists of almost 100 pieces of two-and-three dimensional art. These comprise a rotating display in local schools, libraries and universities. Since I know Nevin personally, I want to say congratulations for a job well done!
Posted by Christina Rickey at 07:50 |
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If you are looking for a sense community in Birmingham, visit one of several farmers’ markets on a Saturday morning. The Pepper Place Market, the la
rgest in the area, is in its 9th season and will conclude on September 27. Pepper Place, in the Lakeview District of Birmingham, is located on 2nd Avenue South between 28th and 29th Streets. Starting in May, each Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until noon, you will find regional farmers and families display an array of vegetables, flowers, baked breads, cookies, cakes and pies in addition to crafts and arts and crafts. Enjoy a cup of coffee, a light breakfast, and listen to musicians on two separate stages. Each week, there is a cooking demonstration by Birmingham’s finest chefs. Besides being known for its great farmers’ market, Pepper Place is home to the city’s premier design center which you are invited to visit.
Traveling 15 miles south of Birmingham to the Town of Mt. Laurel, off of Highway 41 in north Shelby County, you can find a farmers’ market which is growing each year. The Mt. Laurel Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair boasts organic fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh squeezed lemonade, honey, crafts, and one-of-a-kind art pieces. The Mt. Laurel Farmers’ Market kicks off the season in May and also concludes the last Saturday of September. In the Town of Mt. Laurel, you can find several restaurants and quaint shops to visit including a children’s clothing store, hardware and food store, and a bridal salon. When the farmers’ market season is over, the Town of Mt. Laurel hosts a Fall festival with fun for everyone in the family. Most of the people who live in the Town of Mt. Laurel travel to the market by golf cart, but all are welcome no matter what mode of transportation you use.
Another family friendly market is the Fresh Market on the Green at Ross Bridge. The Ross Bridge market is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month starting in July and concluding on October 25th. Enjoy the abundance of fresh Alabama grown produce, local artists, coffee, baked goods, and live music. A special feature is the Bark It Market with specialty pet products and boutique items for man’s best friend. Ross Bridge is located off of Highway 150 in the Deer Valley area of Hoover. So if you like that small town feel, want to get to know your neighbor, love the taste of a homegrown tomato, and want to patronize our local artists, time is running out to visit one of these delightful farmers’ markets.
Posted by Christina Rickey at 02:48 |
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Last Sunday was a hot and humid 95 degrees in the shade. I did not blame my customers for not wanting to look at property that afternoon. So, I found myself without much to do. After putting on a pair of walking shorts, a tank top, and my tennies, I ventured out with my spouse to take a walk along one of Birmingham’s most beautiful treasurers, Jemison Park in Mountain Brook.
Stopping and reading about the history of the area, I learned that Jemison Park is named after the late Robert Jemison, Jr., who was one of Birmingham’s most important developers for almost 7 decades. Around 1929 Robert Jemison, Jr. started developing his vision for the area called Mountain Brook. This vision included estate-sized home sites along winding scenic roads and commercial development centering along three villages–English Village, Mountain Brook Village, and Crestline Village. With a hilly topography, Mr. Jemison incorporated nature preserves on the adjacent slopes which protected the area from becoming over developed, and he created bridle paths along the way for recreational use. In honor of Robert Jemison, Jr.’s contribution to the area, Jemison Park was dedicated in the early 1950’s. Robert Jemison, Jr. died in 1971, and his vision for an area of unsurpassed beauty continues to this day. In 2005, Gov. Bob Riley awarded a $60,000 grant to pave the 2,400 foot walking trail which winds through many of Mountain Brook’s most affluent neighborhoods. The homes and magnificent architecture poised on well-manicured landscaped lots along the walking trail are breathtaking.
I was most intrigued by the picture post card beauty of the restored Old Mill. The Old Mill was once used for private parties and socials and it is now a private residence. In 2005 the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Old Mill was taken by a flood. It has since been restored.
If you have the time, you need to take a walk along Jemison Park in Mountain Brook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly do it again. Next time though, I will wait until fall to see the changing of the leaves and to enjoy a cool breeze in the autumn air.
Posted by Christina Rickey at 09:17 |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY VULCAN!
Over 900 hundred people attended the iron man’s birthday bash earlier this summer. Originally built in 1904, Vulcan turns 104! Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, has stood as symbol of Birmingham’s steel industry. Vulcan is the largest cast iron statue in the world. A four year renovation on Vulcan was completed in 2004. Vulcan Park is the best place to enjoy the panoramic views of downtown Birmingham. Check it out!!
Posted by Christina Rickey at 07:50 |
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Here it is, the weekend. Normally, I’d be previewing and showing properties to a buyer looking for their next home. This weekend, I’m free (unless someone wants to find their next home) and deciding what to do. With gas prices up and no desire to drive very far but still get out of the house, you may be wondering what to do that is different and fun. Why not escape locally and explore the many villages in and around Birmingham with their unique, quaint shops, boutiques and favorite local eateries.
Maybe your shopping and dining excursion will begin in Homewood, just a short distance from downtown Birmingham. Downtown Homewood boasts upscale clothing shops, high-end antique and art galleries, and home decorating stores, to name a few. There is old-style shopping along the newly renovated 18th Street, and the new Soho Square for modern-day shopping with an interesting mix of trendy boutiques and restaurants. Browse the Pink Tulip, a women’s clothing and accessories store; Homewood Toy and Hobby Shop, a traditional children’s toy store filled with unique toys and a large selection of hobby accessories; adventure through At Home Furnishings where you can find trinkets and furnishings to warm-up your décor; visit Savage’s Bakery, or O’Henry’s coffee shop, both local landmarks; and browse Smith’s Variety, which brings back memories of the five and dime.
For more southern charm and small-town atmosphere, enjoy picture-perfect Mountain Brook Village, only three to five minutes from Homewood. Beautiful storefronts abound along tree-lined sidewalks. Famous for their limeades, Gilchrist Soda Shop (a must stop for my grandaughter and me) has been a Mountain Brook staple since the early 20th century. Enjoy shops like Etc., Carousel, Village Sportswear, Bromberg’s, Christine’s, Jonathan Benton Bookseller, Smith’s Variety, and Little Hardware, where store owners and employees welcome you to browse through luxury décor, high-end clothing, treasures, gifts, books, staples, and jewelry. Grab some food at Davenport’s Pizza, or Browdy’s.
Located a few miles from Mountain Brook Village nestled between Euclid and Montevallo Roads, a large clock tower welcomes you to Crestline Village. Crestline Village has more than 80 shops and restaurants for your enjoyment. Casual and fine dining includes Bacca’s, Bongiorno’s, Crestline Bagel, Inc., La Paz, Zoe’s Kitchen, and Surin of Thailand. Crestline Village is known for its many children shops including clothing, toys, and accessories.
Another stop, close to the heart of Birmingham, is English Village on Cahaba Rd. Here you’ll find restaurants, coffee houses and garden shops. For a relaxing afternoon pamper yourself at the Richard Joseph Salon Spa; have lunch outside on the brick patio at Café Ciao’s, or read a magazine and enjoy a cup of coffee at Joe Muggs .
If the burbs are where you want to be, visit the Town of Mt. Laurel, located off of Hwy 41 in unincorporated Shelby County. Saturday morning at the Mt. Laurel Farmer’s Market, held from June through September, is a great way to start the day. There are also 29 shops and restaurants within the town, among them: Mt. Laurel Hardware and General Store, Bella Couture Bridal, Blue Moon Photo Studio, Main Street Florist, The Blue Room Salon Spa, Simplicity Unique Gifts, and Little Blessings Children’s Clothing. Eateries include The Standard Bistro, The Rose Garden Tea Room, Jimbo’s Soda Fountain, and Area 41 Pizza.
Besides Birmingham’s many villages, I’m sure there are other places all of us can enjoy, such as American Village in Montevallo, the Mcwane Center or Civil Rights Institute downtown, and the Farmers Market at Pepper Place on Saturdays. Share your favorite close-in places for fun and relaxation.
Posted by Christina Rickey at 02:11 |
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Christina Rickey 
